Anti-reverse input clutch

Abstract

An anti-reverse input clutch is provided which includes an output member including an output shaft held so as to be rotatable about the axis of an input member, and a cam member which is a separate member from the output shaft and on which cam surfaces are formed. The cam member is rotationally fixed to the output shaft. Thus, each of the output shaft and the cam shaft can be easily formed, so that it is possible to significantly reduce the time and cost for manufacturing the output member and improve the freedom of design thereof.

1. An anti-reverse input clutch comprising an input member and an output member that can rotate about a common axis, a torque transmitter for transmitting rotation of said input member to said output member with a slight angular delay, a stationary member having a radially inner or outer cylindrical surface, said output member having a radially inner or outer opposed surface radially opposed to said cylindrical surface, said output member having cam surfaces formed on said opposed surface, each of said cam surfaces and said cylindrical surface defining a wedge-shaped space that narrows from one circumferential end thereof toward another circumferential end thereof, a retainer rotationally fixed to said input member and including legs inserted between said output member and said stationary member, rolling elements each received in one of said wedge-shaped spaces, and an elastic member disposed between an adjacent pair of said rolling elements to bias said rolling elements toward said another circumferential end of said respective wedge-shaped spaces, whereby when said input member rotates, said legs of said retainer push at least some of said rolling elements against the force of said elastic member, thereby transmitting torque from said input member to said output member, said output member comprising an output shaft which is held so as to be rotatable about said common axis, and a cam member which is a separate member from said output shaft and on which said cam surfaces are formed, said cam member being rotationally fixed to said output shaft, wherein said cam member of said output member is coupled to said output shaft so as to be movable to an eccentric position relative to said output shaft, and wherein said cam surfaces are circumferentially uniformly arranged, and wherein said output shaft includes a flange, and wherein said stationary member includes flange restricting portions which sandwich said flange from both axial sides thereof. 
   
   
     2. The anti-reverse input clutch of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of adjacent ones of said rolling elements are disposed between each of said legs of said retainer and said elastic member while in contact with each other. 
   
   
     3. The anti-reverse input clutch of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said output shaft and said cam member of said output shaft is made of one of sintered metals, forged metals and plastics. 
   
   
     4. The anti-reverse input clutch of  claim 1 , wherein said rolling elements comprise cylindrical rollers. 
   
   
     5. The anti-reverse input clutch of  claim 4 , wherein said rolling elements are disposed in said wedge-shaped spaces so as to be movable circumferentially along said cam surfaces, respectively. 
   
   
     6. The anti-reverse input clutch of  claim 4 , wherein said rolling elements are disposed in said wedge-shaped spaces so as to be movable circumferentially along said cam surfaces, respectively, between engaged positions at first circumferential ends of said cam surfaces, and disengaged positions at second circumferential ends of said cam surfaces, wherein in said engaged positions, said rolling elements are wedged between said cam surfaces and said cylindrical surface. 
   
   
     7. The anti-reverse input clutch of  claim 1  wherein said rolling elements are disposed in said wedge-shaped spaces so as to be movable circumferentially along said cam surfaces, respectively. 
   
   
     8. The anti-reverse input clutch of  claim 1 , wherein said rolling elements are disposed in said wedge-shaped spaces so as to be movable circumferentially along said cam surfaces, respectively, between engaged positions at first circumferential ends of said cam surfaces, and disengaged positions at second circumferential ends of said cam surfaces, wherein in said engaged positions, said rolling elements are wedged between said cam surfaces and said cylindrical surface. 
   
   
     9. The anti-reverse input clutch of  claim 1 , wherein said cam surfaces are arranged such that each one of said cam surfaces is disposed diametrically opposite another one of said cam surfaces.